...Happy for support of dog bite victims

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said he was heartened by the presence of members of the Dog Bite Victims Association, who gathered in support of the Dangerous Dogs Act, which was debated in the Senate yesterday.

Ramlogan said pitbull owners were quite vocal in expressing their disagreement with the act and that the voices of the Dog Bite Victims Association added balance to a debate that seemed lopsided in terms of response.

“I am happy that the voice of the people is at the centre of this debate,” said the AG.

Manohar Singh, of St Joseph, led the 50 or so placard-bearing protesters on site.

“Man before beast” read one placard; “Save our children and neighbourhood” read another.

Singh said the Dog Bite Victims Association was formed after he was mauled by a pitbull in 1998. Its membership is made up of persons who were attacked by pitbulls and their families.

“The pitbull that attacked me was owned by a security company and it got away from its yard,” said Singh. “My foot was swollen from the bites and I had to be out of a job for nine months because I couldn’t walk.”

Singh was a salesman prior to the incident and said he eventually lost his job and got no compensation.

“We support this Act fully because it’s the only thing that will make people feel safer with these dogs.”